Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth's core strength, much like its predecessor, is in its portrayal of friendship. It's what connects Ichiban and his party despite their varying backgrounds and circumstances, and it's what teaches the importance of vulnerability for series legend Kiryu, who must learn what it means to want to live again in the wake of sickness, loneliness, and stoicism. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth gives Kiryu the shoulders he desperately needs to lean on, from Nanba and Saeko to Seonhee and Zhao, while reigniting the spark of his former self through a reflection of his journey. One way this is effectively done is through his episodic Life Links, showing that the past can bring a reminder of both troubled times and the people that made life worth living.